# Annual Report and Financial Statements: Year Ending 31st March 2024 www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk wu an 01733 262226 Registered Charity Number: 1160178 we Wt \ \l \ \l ## Contents # Legal and Administrative Information 3 Trustees' Report 4 Our Impact 10 Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Little Miracles 12 13 Statement of the Financial Activity > Balance Sheet 14 Notes to the Financial Statements 15 01733 262226 Registered Charity Number: 1160178 www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk NT] ## Legal and Administrative Information Iain Crighton MBE Timothy Bedward-Jones Tina Moser-Wager Emerson Patton Peter Jackson Emma Hannon Matthew Kember Michelle King Trustees Chief Executive Officer Registered Charity Number[1160178] Registered Office Little Miracles @The Spinney Hartwell Way Ravensthorpe Peterborough PE3 7LE Independent Examiner George Hay Partnership LLP Unit 1b Focus 4 Fourth Avenue Hertfordshire SG6 2TU Bankers Barclays Bank 1-3 Church Street Peterborough PE1 1XE Solicitors Hunt and Coombs Solicitors 35 Thorpe Road Peterborough PE3 6AG www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk lt 01733 262226 Registered Charity Number: 1160178 we NT ## Trustees' Report The Trustees present their report along with the financial statements of the charity for the year ending 31 March 2024. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the account policies set-out on pages 15 to 17 and comply with the charity's constitution and applicable law. ## Vision Our vision is a world where all families that have children with additional needs, disabilities and life limiting conditions have the support that they need, at the time that they need it. Over the next ten years we will improve the lives of 50,000 children across the UK ## Purpose ## ——EEs ~~—~~ Our purpose is to help families with disabled children to get the support that they need to live their lives and fulfil their potential ## Mission Little Miracles uses its expertise and knowledge to ensure that families are getting the support they need at the time that they need it. We work in a variety of ways to equip the whole family to take control of their future ## ~~—~~ We do this by providing: ~~EEE~~ = —EEEEEeeeeeeeeee = Support – in order to address families’ questions, worries and fears and ensure that they are receiving everything that they are entitled to, both financially and emotionally Training – to both the parents/carers and the young people so they can develop the essential skills needed to care for their families and achieve their full potential Activities – where children and young people can build relationships, receive essential respite and enjoy accessible development opportunities Respite – essential breaks for families in order for them to thrive and grow Safe-spaces – where families can come, be themselves and receive the support they need in an inclusive, non-judgmental and supportive atmosphere \\t \ Mt we lt www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk \ 01733 262226 ; Registered Charity Number: 1160178 il \ \ ’ ## Trustees' Report continued ## Values Reaching families one by one – we recognise that every family is unique and the life-changing difference we can make to them Available to all – every family that has a child with additional needs, disabilities and/or life-limiting conditions is welcome and cost is never a barrier Integrity is the heart of our service – we create a place of trust and safety where people can grow in a secure environment Never boring – there is always a sense of fun, excitement and adventure in what we do Beneficial - we benefit all users in a measurable way Outstanding – we strive to be the best in everything we do We can do it together – we recognise that no one person can deliver our vision and goals alone but that if we work together as a team alongside our families then miracles can happen ## Beliefs Little Miracles strives to provide effective solutions to meet local need and to campaign for change that will ensure that families with disabled children get the support that they need, when they need it Activities, achievements and performance ~~a eee el~~ Little Miracles is a charity that exists to provide support to families that have children with additional needs, disabilities and life-limiting conditions. Although we started in Peterborough and continue to deliver services from our purpose-built centre, The Spinney, we are also now delivering services across the whole of the east of England and have expanded to provide services in the following areas: |Peterborough Ramsey Milton Keynes|Peterborough Ramsey Milton Keynes|Peterborough Ramsey Milton Keynes| |---|---|---| |Holbeach St Neots Ely|Holbeach St Neots Ely|Holbeach St Neots Ely| |Spalding Wisbech Kings Lynn|Spalding Wisbech Kings Lynn|Spalding Wisbech Kings Lynn| |Boston March Stamford|Boston March Stamford|Boston March Stamford| |Bourne Chatteris Nottinghamshire|Bourne Chatteris Nottinghamshire|Bourne Chatteris Nottinghamshire| |Leicestershire||| |www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk
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lt| ## Trustees' Report continued We have been working hard to strengthen our branches and ensure their sustainability. Whilst it seems like our geographical growth has reduced this year we have successfully opened two new branches (Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire). Nottinghamshire in particular has required a lot of support from the Head Office team due to the number of people they supported in a short space of time. This has meant that we have pushed-back opening a St Ives branch, however consultation has started and we are aiming to open new branches in St Ives, Huntingdon, Cambridge and Downham Market next year. ia The St Ives and Huntingdonshire branches will be supported by our existing infrastructure in Ramsey and St Neots, and the Downham Market branch by Kings Lynn. After a number of difficult financial years, we have been able to generate a surplus this year due to the hard work of our Fundraising team. Our Operations Team have also been able to take-on additional contracts in order to fund our activities. We are particularly proud of delivering HAF (Holidays and Food) contracts on behalf of the Department of Education. Whilst this increase in income has allowed us to transfer additional funding into our reserves account, our expenditure has also increased. As a result we have increased our reserves to £200,000 to stay within our Reserves Policy. Ideally, over the next year will look to increase this to £300,000. We are continuing to see an influx of families who need support, some involving extremely complex cases as the threshold for statutory support has increased. This is not a situation unique to Little Miracles, however our staff and volunteers have been amazing at providing essential support to these families. We have also been providing additional specialist support services to our children with the highest needs and our staff and volunteers are coping well with this. As a result, we are now able to provide some nationwide services, e.g. adult counselling and family support. We have also implemented a new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system this year which will allow us to track our effectiveness and improve the way we support families. We are very fortunate to have an amazing team and would like to thank everyone for giving their all during these challenging times. We would also make a special mention to our volunteers who have ih helped us meet demand. They have provided counselling, emotional support and benefits advice, have adapted and delivered sessions to groups and individuals, and helped young people keep-up with their education. We conduct regular surveys with the families we support. We have found that the main reason that families join Little Miracles is due to a feeling of social isolation (a staggering 66.5%). 70.4% of - - families are reporting that they have been impacted by the Cost of Living Crisis to the point where it is ' affecting how they are feeding their families, with 40% of people reporting that this is the most pressing issue they face at the moment. We are working with food banks and some of our branches run their own. We ensure that our activities are cost effective and aim never to allow money to become a barrier to the family getting the support they need. 100% of families reported seeing an improvement to their circumstances due to involvement with Little Miracles. 53.8% reported that they had received significant support but the underlying issues were still present. www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk Registered Charity Number: 1160178 01733 262226 ## Trustees' Report continued Our support services can be broadly classified into the following categories: ## Support **----- Start of picture text -----**
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- Benefits advice - Counselling - Bereavement care - Education support - Play therapy - Emergency essentials including food - Behaviour support - Sensory work - Advocacy - Family support ## Training - For parents - For young people out of traditional education - For young adults with additional needs to support them into paid employment - For professionals working with families who have children with additional needs, disabilities and life-limiting conditions ## Activities **----- Start of picture text -----**
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- Parent and child groups - After-school clubs - Sports sessions - Play schemes - Youth clubs - Education and social events **----- Start of picture text -----**
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## Respite - For a small but growing number of young people on a referal basis ## Safe Spaces - Our centres - Adapted play areas - Fully-adapted caravan - Sensory rooms - -Groups and private hire of venues where our young people can have fun and play in a safe way www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk Mt \ lt ¥ ll 01733 262226 ’ Registered Charity Number: 1160178 | \ ## Trustees' Report continued ## Financial Review Total income received during the year increased to £999,882 from £590,384 in the previous year. This represents an increase of 69% and is comparable to the previous year. This is due to the development of the Fundraising Team as well as being paid on a contract-basis for some of our work. However, the total expenditure during the year amounted to £904,378, an increase from £621,333 in the previous year. This represents increased costs of 45% which is a reduction on the previous years 58%. This is, in part, due to the CRM which automates some administrative tasks. We generated a surplus of £95,504 which we have used to bolster our reserves and is welcome after two years of making a loss. Our budgets this year remain within satisfactory levels. ## Reserves policy The Trustees' policy is to maintain a sufficient level of general reserves to enable the charity to continue in normal existence for three months, followed by an orderly curtailment of activities over the following three months if necessary. It is the aim of the Trustees to review this policy on an annual basis. The Trustees therefore aim to hold up to six months of expenditure as unrestricted funds. At 31 March 2024 unrestricted funds amounted to £241,089 (2023: £176,541) which provides a base for the charity to move forward with its future plans as set-out above. ## Structure, governance and management: ## Governing document Little Miracles is registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) under its constitution dated 1 December 2014. ## Tax status As a registered charity, number 1160178, Little Miracles is exempt from corporation tax and income tax on its charitable activities. ## Trustees The Board of Trustees who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows: - Timothy Bedward-Jones Tina Moser-Wager Emerson Patton Peter Jackson Emma Hannon - Matthew Kember FCA Iain Crighton MBE www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk 01733 262226 Registered Charity Number: 1160178 ## Trustees' Report continued ## Appointment of Trustees The charity’s constitution requires a minimum of three Trustees. Trustees are appointed for a term of three years and are invited to join the board and elected by a resolution of the Trustees. ## Public benefit statement The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit, 'Charities and Public Benefit'. ## Reference and administrative details The principal addresses and details of professional advisers are included in the information sheet at the front of these accounts. ## Trustees' responsibilities in relation to financial statements The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to: - select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently; - observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; - make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and - prepare the financial statements on an ongoing concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Trust Deed. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. This report was approved by the Trustees on 30th January 2025 and signed on their behalf by: Iain Crighton MBE Matthew Kember FCA Chair of Trustees Treasurer NG v " lt www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk \; 01733 262226 , Registered Charity Number: 1160178 \ i| Y NT ’ \ ile \ ll ## Our Impact After spending time at Little Miracles in 2023... - All families who had accessed our family support services reported that they had received significant support - 61% of parents saw an improvement in their child's emotional regulation - 4 out of 5 families reported benefitting from a Little Miracles regular play session - 86% of children reported feeling less isolated after joining Little Miracles - 1 in 3 families reported they would not be able to access support without Little Miracles www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk x 01733 262226 Registered Charity Number: 1160178 ## Our Impact continued “It's been life changing for us: and I chose my words carefully!” “A safe space for my child to be himself, and for me to feel relaxed with no judgement, to meet new people, and experience new places which I wouldn’t normally go to” “Amazing knowing that there's somewhere to meet new people with people who understand the day to day life of caring with a child with a disability” “They are the sunshine in the darkness. Very good people and very supportive. They are always stand for the needs of people” “We are able to contact our Family support coordinator through email and meet her in person to have a discussion about my daughter's education, school and recent change in her behaviour. She has always been there for us and supported us during the crucial times by voicing out our concerns to during the meetings with either the local authority or with the school” “A big thank you to you all for your support help you have given me over the last couple of weeks, from food hampers to gifts and basic everyday stuff. I struggled so hard financially emotionally physically with my family and although I can't fix everything I'm slowly putting little pieces together to give the family of whatever I can do to help them each day. The support I got from little miracles makes it special by having people like you who help me. Thank you so much” “I love the warm, friendly atmosphere, the smile on the children’s faces, the fact that there’s no need to make excuses or explain. The staff are all very welcoming” “So we went on our first day trip out today to Skegness and we can’t thank you enough! The boys absolutely loved it! And a massive thank you to everyone who helped out with the boys when it got to overwhelming for them on our first bus while it broke down we cannot wait to go on more outings and a massive thank you to all the organisers too! You guys made us feel so welcome” “It’s impossible to overstate the difference Michelle and her team make to so many people’s lives day in and day out and I urge anyone in the area who can to support Little Miracles” “Little Miracles is my lifeline. Without them I would still be lost and alone” www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk 01733 262226 Registered Charity Number: 1160178 ## Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Little Miracles ## Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Little Miracles CIO I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. ## Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. ## Independent examiner's statement Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales , which is one of the listed bodies. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1.accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2.the accounts do not accord with those records; or 3.the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Emma Wilsher FCA George Hay Partnership LLP Unit 1B, Focus Four Fourth Avenue Letchworth Garden City Hertfordshire SG6 2TU Date: 30th January 2025 www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk 01733 262226 Registered Charity Number: 1160178 Statement of Financial Activity for year ending 31st March 2024 The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities. The notes on pages 14 to 19 from part of these financial statements. www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk 01733 262226 Registered Charity Number: 1160178 ## Balance Sheet as at 31st March 2024 The notes on pages 14 to 19 form part of these financial statements. These accounts were approved by the Trustees on 30th January 2025 and signed on their behalf by: Iain Crighton Matthew Kember FCA Chair of Trustees Treasurer www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk 01733 262226 Registered Charity Number: 1160178 ## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2024 www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk 01733 262226 Registered Charity Number: 1160178 ## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2024 www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk 01733 262226 Registered Charity Number: 1160178 ## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2024 www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk 01733 262226 Registered Charity Number: 1160178 Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2024 All support costs have been allocated on the basis of the proportion of direct expenditure. www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk 01733 262226 Registered Charity Number: 1160178 ## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2024 No employee received remuneration in excess of £60,000 (2022 : None) ## 4. Trustees No Trustee, or persons connected with the Trustees, received and remuneration or were reimbursed any expenses from the charity during the year (2022 : None) www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk 01733 262226 Registered Charity Number: 1160178 ## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2024 www.littlemiraclescharity.org.uk 01733 262226 Registered Charity Number: 1160178